Canberra offers a vast array of educational experiences that are linked and support the Australian curriculum. Interactive and experiential activities, promote deep learning connections for young students. Topics covered at these attractions include Australian civics and citizenship, history, arts, science, technology, engineering and environment.
PACER Activities
The PACER program, a rebate provided by the Australian Government, encourages students’ trips to Canberra to learn about national democratic, historical and cultural institutions on-site. As part of the legibility criteria to receive the rebate, trip itineraries must include all of the destinations below. For more information visit our PACER Scheme information page.
Parliament House
With over 100,000 students visiting Parliamentary House every year this is an absolute must. Parliament House is the cornerstone of the Parliamentary Triangle and the hub of Australian democracy. There are a wide range of programmes for Primary School students that give a unique insight into Australian politics and the day to day life of a politician. Visit on the right day and you may be lucky enough to see the court in action!
Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD)
MoAD was the temporary home of Australia’s Federal Parliament from 1927 – 1988. Rich in history and heritage, MoAD is an essential visit to compliment your Civics & Citizenship studies. Having previously won the ACT Tourism Education Award, interactive learning programmes at MoAD include role play scenarios, debating and guided tours.
National Electoral Education Centre (NEEC)
The National Electoral Education Center provides a broad overview of the Federal Electoral System and the importance of elections in Australian history. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a mock election and learn some of the essential skills required to succeed in the Australian political system.
The Australian War Memorial
Dive deep into Australian history and gain a better understanding of the role Australia played in World War One. The Australian War Memorial pays homage to brave Australians that fought and died for their country. The memorial offers various educational programmes that can be tailored to your groups specific interests. Guided tours, wreath laying and attending the daily last post ceremony are a few of activities on offer at this outstanding memorial.
Optional Attractions (if Mandatory Activities fully booked)
If in the event that a mandatory institution is fully booked, (PACER require evidence of this in writing) then you can choose an ‘Optional Attraction’ from their selected list. Please see our PACER page for more information.
Other Curriculum Based Activities
Offering more than just the Australian civics and citizenship highlights, Canberra is abundant with educational curriculum based activities. Excite your students’ eager minds with science and technology experiments, culturally significant history and art exhibitions, inspiring engineering wonders and environmental discoveries!
CSIRO Discovery Center
A visit to the CSIRO Discovery Center gives students the opportunity to engage with interactive exhibits and gain a better understanding of technologies that will shape their future. Discovery Education Programmes are a great fit for Primary School students and are sure to stimulate any curious young minds within your group.
Royal Australian Mint
Visit the home of the Australian coin and discover how Science & Technology have influenced our national currency throughout the years. Students will see how robotics plays a key role in manufacturing and will even have the opportunity to make their own $1 coin. An increasingly foreign object for young students – the coin has evolved throughout Australian history and continues to play a role in modern society, but for how long?
Australian Institute of Sport
The home of elite sport within Australia – AIS is a purpose built facility to nurture and grow talented young athletes into world class competitors. Gain a better understanding of the day to day life of Australia’s greatest athletes and the level of dedication it takes to stand out from the crowd.
National Capital Exhibition
The story of Canberra is brilliantly told throughout the National Capital Exhibition. Models, films, displays and more combine to share the history of the innovative city in a fun and interactive way. Discover how town planners, Marion and Walter Burley Griffin, developed Canberra’s unique ambiance by combining natural and manmade features.
National Museum of Australia
At the National Museum Australia, the students can explore remarkable stories and learn about the rich and diverse past of Australian life. Here they focus on Indigenous histories and cultures, European settlement and our interaction with the environment. Will your students discover more about Australia’s history on their next Canberra School trip?
The National Gallery of Australia
The National Gallery is Australia’s leading national visual arts institution. Their Guides and Educators facilitate enjoyable and interactive experiences for touring groups of students. The National Gallery’s collection comprises almost 160,000 works of art, including the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and Australia’s pre-eminent collection of modern international art.
The National Arboretum Canberra
With 44,000 rare and endangered trees over a 250 hectare site – the National Arboretum is as vast as it is beautiful. There are many engaging programmes focused on environmental sustainability and ecology to engage your students and give them insight to the importance of conservation. Alternatively, the Arboretum provides a stunning backdrop for some lunchtime sport!
High Court of Australia
The High Court of Australia serves a very important function in our country. Take a tour of the High Court and see why the gallery precinct is classed as a National Heritage site and is one of Canberra’s top tourist attractions. After your visit, complete a range of fun activities with Harry the High Court Emu and Charlie the High Court Kangaroo!
Questacon
At Questacon they strive to promote a greater understanding and awareness of science and technology within the community. Questacon is a very popular destination for students and school visits, so they are committed to making that experience fun, interactive and relevant. A highlight of a Canberra school trip!
Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex
Leave your students in awe after a trip to the Canberra Space Centre. Their passionate team offers an informative and enjoyable way to learn about the planets and the story of space travel and how, we here on Earth, communicate with and benefit from spacecraft exploring our Solar System and beyond. Learn about exploring space, spacecraft tracking, the significant role that Australia plays in space exploration and returning the ‘first’ pictures of Neil Armstrong walking on the Moon!
National Dinosaur Museum
Boasting the largest collection of interactive dinosaurs in Australia – the National Dinosaur Museum provides an engaging insight into the long and dynamic history of the earth. Students will have the chance to touch and feel dinosaur bones and fossils from over 150 million years ago! A truly unforgettable experience for any budding palaeontologists in your group. Visit the museum with an exclusive night tour to add further mystery to your prehistoric experience.
National Zoo and Aquarium
Have your chance to get up close and interact with amazing animals at the National Zoo and Aquarium! Your guided tour will include encounters with reptiles, feeding deer and emus, watching larger animals feed and play, as well as interesting animal stories. The friendly zookeepers will be sure to provide a fun and engaging experience for all!
National Botanic Gardens
The Australian National Botanic Gardens welcomes your touring group to take in their collection of Australian Natives from around the country. The plants are displayed for the enjoyment and education and are commonly used for research into plant classification and biology. The Botanical Gardens is also available for twilight guided tours for your group.
Canberra Reptile Zoo
With over 50 different species of reptiles and frogs on display, the Canberra Reptile Zoo is large enough to be impressive but still small enough to have a very strong hands on approach. Presentations can be arrange on topics of focus at the time, be it life cycles, living with reptiles and reptile awareness. Touch a python, or dragons and talk face to face with the keepers!